News Headline
ESS acquires Pride FC; consolidates wrestling platform
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has acquired the world’s leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) game – Pride FC.
ESS signed an exclusive contract with Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE), the parent company of Pride FC, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
All matches will be available on Star Sports to be shown as one hour episodes on Special Archives of Pride FC every Friday and Saturday starting 14 October at 10 pm.
Talking about the strategy behind the acquisition, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd managing director R C Venkateish said, “We are in the process of consolidating our wrestling coverage. Pride FC is our next big acquisition after TNA and both wrestling properties are completely different from each other hence adding to the variety on our networks. We expect a good reception from our viewers on Pride FC.”
While TNA is free style wrestling, Pride FC is a mixed martial arts competition. Pride FC allows two wrestlers following different martial art forms to compete with each other. For example a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a form of martial arts, practitioner can compete with a kick boxer or a Judo specialist. This cross fighting, between martial art forms, makes players fight for their personal pride and for the pride of the martial arts form.
Dream Stage Entertainment CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara said, “We are delighted to be entering into a relationship with ESPN Star Sports to broadcast Pride FC to the Indian audiences. Pride FC has grown steadily as a television property world wide through innovation, high production values, matchmaking, and a history of dramatic clashes. We are confident that Indian market will respond positively to the property.”
Pride FC began in 1997 in Japan with one philosophy — the acceptance of any fighting technique from any school. The fighting platform attempts to mimic the realities of an actual fight in the form of a legitimate and honorable sport. The basic idea in Pride FC competition is to eliminate as many restrictions as possible in a mixed martial arts match.
Pride FC is the most popular Mixed Martial Arts organisation in the world based on the number of event attendees: the Pride Shock Wave 2002 event had 91,107 audiences at the Tokyo National stadium. Pride FC features two tournaments – ‘Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament’ and ‘Pride Heavyweight Championships.’
Pride Fighting’s 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament has spanned three events – ‘Total Elimination’ (opening round), ‘Critical Countdown’ (second round) and then the ‘Final Conflict (semi-finals and finals).
Sixteen fighters began the championship and Mauricio “Shogun’ Rua was crowned champion on 28 August, 2005. Fedor Emelianenko from Russia is the current Pride Heavyweight Champion.
Pride FC is currently available in the following countries (via broadcast or home video):
Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan and now India
Europe: Belgium, Denmark,, Finland, France, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Australia and Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Brazil
Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
